During a heated debate on the Constitution in parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party. He accused former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru of misusing the Constitution and said that the current Congress leadership continues to attack it. PM Modi also spoke about the Emergency and the Shah Bano case, criticizing Indira Gandhi's actions during that time. He accused her son, Rajiv Gandhi, of sacrificing justice for the sake of vote bank politics.
The Nehru-Gandhi Family and the Constitution
The relationship between India's Nehru-Gandhi family and the Constitution has been a subject of debate and controversy. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, played a key role in drafting the Constitution. However, later members of the family, including Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, have been accused of undermining the Constitution or misusing it for political gains.
Indira Gandhi and the Emergency
One of the most controversial episodes involving the Nehru-Gandhi family and the Constitution was the Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. During the Emergency, basic civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored, and thousands of political opponents were arrested. The Emergency was widely seen as an authoritarian move by Gandhi to consolidate her power.
Rajiv Gandhi and the Shah Bano Case
Another controversy involving the Nehru-Gandhi family and the Constitution was the Shah Bano case in 1985. In this case, the Supreme Court of India ruled that a Muslim woman was entitled to maintenance from her husband after divorce. However, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, son of Indira Gandhi, overturned this ruling through the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act. The act was seen as appeasement of the Muslim vote bank and a violation of the principles of gender equality enshrined in the Constitution.
Narendra Modi's Criticism of the Congress Party
In recent years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has repeatedly criticized the Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, for its alleged misuse of the Constitution. Modi has accused the Congress of undermining the judiciary and using the Constitution for vote bank politics.
FAQs
The Emergency was declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in response to a period of political instability and protests. Gandhi claimed that the Emergency was necessary to maintain law and order and prevent the country from descending into chaos.
The Emergency resulted in the suspension of basic civil liberties, the arrest of thousands of political opponents, and the suppression of the press. It is widely seen as a period of authoritarian rule that violated the principles of democracy and the Constitution.
Rajiv Gandhi overturned the Supreme Court ruling in the Shah Bano case due to pressure from Muslim religious leaders and organizations. The act overturning the ruling was seen as an attempt to appease the Muslim vote bank and a violation of the principles of gender equality.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticized the Congress party for its alleged misuse of the Constitution, undermining the judiciary, and using the Constitution for vote bank politics.
The Nehru-Gandhi family has played a significant role in the drafting and interpretation of the Indian Constitution. Jawaharlal Nehru was a key figure in the drafting of the Constitution, while Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi have been accused of undermining it or using it for political gains.
In a press conference, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi unveiled evidence showing a widespread conspiracy to delete voters from electoral rolls in India. He presented examples and detailed data indicating that the alleged operations were carried out through automated systems and coordinated at a centralized level. Gandhi claimed that these tactics were used to manipulate elections in several states, and also accused the Election Commission of facilitating this voter deletion.
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of aiding the suppression of votes belonging to marginalized communities like Dalits and minorities. The Election Commission denied the allegations, stating that no vote can be deleted online without proper procedures and investigation. However, the poll body did acknowledge failed attempts to delete votes in Karnataka's Aland constituency in 2023 and an FIR has been filed to investigate. The Congress leader claimed that the Election Commission is purposely obstructing investigations to hide the truth about these deletions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stirred up controversy by accusing the BJP and Election Commission of systematic voter fraud through manipulation of electoral rolls. In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back, accusing Gandhi of spreading baseless allegations and undermining democracy. The Election Commission has dismissed all of Gandhi's claims, citing that no voter's name can be deleted through online means without proper procedure.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address a press conference on Thursday, where he is expected to present evidence of alleged vote theft in Indian elections. Gandhi has been vocal about the issue in previous speeches, accusing the government of using unfair means to form their power. He also claimed that the Election Commission is working in collaboration with the ruling party. The Congress promised to provide proof to back their claims and expose corruption in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka.
The centre has directed the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts related to Adani, citing a Delhi court order. The move comes amid ongoing disputes over the Adani Group's involvement in various projects. This action has been met with criticism, with some questioning the government's interference in online content.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi revealed that the party has uncovered over 6,000 voter deletions in Aland constituency, Karnataka, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. According to their investigation, these deletions were not random or accidental but specifically targeted booths where the party was performing strongly. The deletions were carried out through fake applications and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka, raising concerns of an organized effort to manipulate the election process. Congress is calling for a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a news conference and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner is protecting those who are destroying the Constitution and democracy in India. He also alleged that a group of people is systematically cutting the votes of minority groups who vote for the Congress party. In response, politicians from different parties have dismissed his accusations and stated that he is making these statements out of desperation and frustration.
United States President Donald Trump has expressed delight at the suspension of ABC's late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, following backlash against his comments on the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Trump criticized Kimmel's talent and ratings, calling him a "total loser" and "Fake News" host. The show will reportedly be replaced by other ABC programs and has been taken off air indefinitely. This comes after Kimmel addressed the killing of Kirk during a monologue and condemned attempts to politicize the case.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday, various ministers, politicians, and private companies took out expensive advertisements in English newspapers to wish him. The Times of India had the most ads, followed by The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The Hindu. Some advertisements were placed by lesser-known politicians and political parties, while companies and trade associations also joined in to greet the PM. One advertisement even detailed the achievements of PM Modi in seven milestones.